uk

While a lot of uncertainty still remains with regards to renewables after Brexit, the growth of subsidy free solar, along with net zero and other targets enshrined in UK law, and the World Trade Organisations (WTO) arrangements should reassure the solar industry. But concerns over imports, skilled staff and growing costs remain.

A landmark project aimed at piloting the powering of Britain’s railways with on-site solar was amongst the winners of this year’s Community Energy Awards.

Flexibility aggregator Limejump has signed a short-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Bluefield Solar Income Fund. Limejump will manage the power sale for four solar farms owned by Bluefield, using its Virtual Power Platform (VPP).

Solar power, along with wind and storage capacity, will have to greatly increase if the UK is to meet its net zero emissions by 2050 goal, according to analysis by Aurora Energy Research.

In Q3 this year, renewables including solar generated more electricity than fossil fuels did for the first time.

Gresham House has raised £41.6 million through a new share placing to fund both its existing pipeline and a new pipeline of operational and new build assets, falling short of the £58 million it originally targeted.

ScottishPower’s renewables arm has applied to build a utility-scale solar-plus-storage farm in Scotland, which is to be backed by a private wire connection with pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline.

Lightsource BP is proposing to develop a 9.9MW solar farm in Swansea, building on plans for a 20MW project at the same site.

Solar panels are being installed at Aldershot Station as part of a project exploring solar-powered railways.

A wrap-up of recent solar project news including a charity in West Sussex that will save thousands on its energy bills, Lidl’s Irish solar expansion and why First Solar panels installed in Lancashire are ‘coming home’.